Far Eastern flavour to latest Lviv kino offering

For most Leopolitans the dominant geopolitical trajectory of the past 20 years has been towards Europe, with cultural events often crafted to support the broader drive to re-integrate the city into theEuropean mainstream. However, there is no escaping the fact that as the major crossroads between East and West Lviv has always historically offered a taste of both the quintessentially European and the more exotic from the great Eurasian hinterlands stretching away towards the endless eastern horizon. This Eurasian cultural tradition has returned to the fore in recent months as Ukrainians have begun to readjust to new political realities following the January 2010 regime change in Kyiv which has seen the country’s new rulers reorient the country towards the East, bringing to an end five years of post-Orange Revolution Euro optimism.

All cultural roads no longer lead West

This geopolitical change of course has proved particularly depressing for many in Lviv – traditionally the centre of Ukrainian patriotism and also the country’s most self-consciously European city. However, once the frustration at seeing the country’s European integration drive derailed has eased, it is worth noting that Leopolitan culture vultures have long been assionate about Asian culture in all its many forms – from Buddhism and yoga to mysticism and tea ceremonies. This passion for all things Asian is something that Lviv audiences share with their post-Soviet contemporaries throughout the CIS – reflecting a cultural balancing act far more nuanced than the Euro-centric approach which dominates in most EU countries.

The best of contemporary Japanese and Korean kino

For five nights this November Lviv’s Art Palace will host screenings of the latest alternative cinema offerings from Japan and Korea during a minifestival of Far Eastern cinema entitled ‘Asia Kino 2010.’ Leopolitan audiences will be presented with a collection of South Korean and Japanese films which are all winners of international festival awards. Top of the bill is “Ha Ha Ha”, a film by South Korean director Hong Sang-Soo which won the top prize at the Cannes film festival’s sidebar competition. Meanwhile, “Thirst” (“Bakjwi” in Korean), directed by South Korean director Park Chan-Wook, shared the Jury prize at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. The drama “Mother” (“Madeo” in Korean) is directed by South Korean filmmaker Joon-ho Bong and is expected to attract a packed house of drama lovers and fans of Korean poetic symbolism. Meanwhile, the Japanese film industry will be represented by “HOTTARAKE NO SHIMA - HARUKA TO MAHO NO KAGAMI” directed by Shinsuke Sato and drama comedy “The Inflatable Doll” (“Kuki Ningyo”) directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.